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Who are these people?

The automated window is based around a casement window generously donated by Dan's Discount Windows and Doors in Kitchener. To open this window manually one would normally turn a crank. To automate the operation of the window, the input crank has been modified so that it can be turned by a motor instead. In case of a power failure, there is a mechanism which allows the motor to be disengaged and a manual crank to be used to open or close the window. The mechanism is designed so that it is impossible for both the motor and the crank to be engaged at the same time, preventing user injury or window damage if someone tries to turn the handle against the motor.

The procession to determine when the window should be opened or closed is done by a Freeduino board (ATMega 168 chip).The board takes inputs from two temperature and humidity sensors, one on the inside and one on the outside, and determines if the outside temperature is such that the window should be opened. In addition to the automated operation, the automated window has a user input which allows the window to be programmed to stay open or closed for 15 minute increments.